How to Fix a Fridge Seal

Written by jack gerard

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Refrigerator seals help to keep the air in the fridge cool. (teen with milk image by Joyce Wilkes from Fotolia.com)

Refrigerator seals play an important part in the proper function and energy efficiency of a fridge. If a fridge seal is damaged or missing, cool air inside the refrigerator will leak out, and the appliance will have to work harder to maintain the proper temperature. Fixing a damaged or missing fridge seal isn't difficult, generally requiring less than 30 minutes and only a few common household tools. In most cases, fixing a refrigerator seal requires removing the old seal and installing a new one.

Skill level:

Easy

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Things you need

Replacement seal

Screwdriver

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Instructions

1

Unfold your replacement seal, checking for any unnecessary bends or kinks in the seal's rubber. Heat the seal using a hair dryer, or place it in a clothes dryer for three to five minutes to remove kinks from the rubber.

2

Pull one corner of the current seal away from the refrigerator door, causing it to release from its frame. Pull the other corners loose as well, so that the portions of the seal that are held in place by metal strips become obvious.

3

Locate the screws that secure the metal strips holding the old fridge door seal in place. Remove the screws, then pull the seal completely off of the door.

4

Place the new seal onto the door, working the edges under the metal securing strips. Tighten the screws in the strips slightly to hold the new fridge seal in place, but do not tighten them fully.

5

Make adjustments in the positioning of the seal as needed to ensure a proper fit, moving it so that it is seated in the door groove, which is designed for that purpose. Tighten the screws in the retaining strips fully to complete the fridge seal replacement.

Tips and warnings

Consult the owner's manual of your refrigerator or the manufacturer's website to determine the appropriate size for your replacement seal, as a seal that is too big or too small won't fit properly on your refrigerator door.